Livestock loading chute

ABSTRACT

A loading chute primarily for loading livestock on a truck is presented. The chute includes a ramp with detachable sides and twin support members pivotally connected adjacent the forward end of the ramp and slidably retained in a track mounted beneath the truck bed. When in the loading position the forward end of the ramp abuts the end of the truck bed while the rear end rests on the ground. Vertical support therefor is provided by the supporting members and the track. When the chute is disassembled the sides are removed and attached to the sides of the truck. The ramp is then pivoted about the support members into a horizontal position and retracted into a storage area beneath the truck bed between the rails of the track.

United States Patent [191 A Burkart [451 Oct. 9, 1973 LIVESTOCK LOADINGCHUTE [76] Inventor: Edward J. Burkart, 705 Summit Ave., Connersville,Ind. 47331 [22] Filed: Jan. 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 221,535

Primary Examiner-Russell R. Kinsey Assistant Examiner--J. A. OliffAttorney-Robert E. Leblanc et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A loading chute primarily for loading livestock on a truckis presented. The chute includes a ramp with detachable sides and twinsupport members pivotally connected adjacent the forward end of the rampand slidably retained in a track mounted beneath the truck bed. When inthe loading position the forward end of the ramp abuts the end of thetruck bed while the rear end rests on the ground. Vertical supporttherefor is provided by the supporting members and the track. When thechute is disassembled the sides are removed and attached to the sides ofthe truck. The ramp is then pivoted about the support members into ahorizontal position and retracted into a storage area beneath the truckbed between the rails of the track.

8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures LIVESTOCK LOADING CHUTE This inventionrelates to loading chutes and in particular to a portable loading chutefor a truck. The chute of this invention is normally carried beneath thetruck bed, but may be withdrawn therefrom and easily and quicklyassembled for use.

A variety of portable loading ramps transportable in or under a truckbed have been developed in an attempt to provide a means to facilitateloading thereof. These ramps or chutes typically are constructed of woodor steel, and are retained in the loading position by hook members atthe forward end which are engageable with the truck bed.

A ramp carried on the truck bed, when not in use, is obviouslyundesirable because it limits the storage space available. In addition,when certain types of cargo such as livestock are to be transported, theramp must be left at a loading site, and the truck must then return forits loading ramp after the livestock are delivered.

Chutes are also known which are mounted onwheels to be towed by thetruck. These chutes, however, are cumbersome'and unwieldy. In addition,a towed chute undesirably limits where the truck may travel, andtherefore, the versatility .of its cargo transporting ability.

Retractable ramps carried beneath the truck bed have also beendeveloped. These ramps do not limit the storage space in the truck andare therefore more desirable. These ramps, while not limiting the trucksversatility in transporting cargo, require an undue amount of physicalexertion to assemble into the loading position.

driver alone and which may be conveniently stored therein when not inuse.

The device of this invention solves the aforementioned problems in aportable, retractable ramp with separate sidewalls which may be easilyattached thereto to form a loading chute. The ramp'of this invention ispivotally mounted between twin support members which in turn areslidably retained in a horizontal track disposed beneath the truck bed.The track then defines a storage area for the ramp when it is not inuse.

To assemble the ramp in a loading position the ramp is fully withdrawnfrom beneath the truck bed, leaving only the distal portion of thesupporting members in the track. The ramp is then permitted to pivotabout its connection with the supporting members until one end rests onthe ground and the forward end thereof abuts the rear end of the truckbed. Sidewalls may then be attached if desired. The book members whichengage the truck bed in conventional ramps for vertical support are theneliminated in the device of this invention. Vertical support for theramp is provided instead by the horizontal support members. A forceacting downwardly on the ramp is then supported by the horizontalsupport members acting through their respective track rails. I

Accordingly, the need for lifting the end of the ramp during assembly iseliminated. When the ramp is withdrawn from beneath the truck bed itsweight causes it to pivot from a horizontal to an inclined position.This pivotal action stems from the disposition of the connection betweenthe supporting members and the ramp whereby the pivotal connection isspaced from the forward end of the ramp and between the said end and thecenter of gravity thereof.

When the ramp is to be returned to the storage area beneath the truckbed the rear end is lifted to cause the ramp to pivot from an inclinedto a horizontal position and the ramp and supporting members are thenretracted along the track into the storage area beneath the truck bedand between the rail members of the track. The ramp is then retained inthe storage position by a separate attachment connecting the rear end ofthe ramp and the rear end of the track.

It must be emphasized, however, that by spacing the pivotal connectionbetween the ramp and the supporting members longitudinally from theforward end of the ramp toward the center of gravity thereof, theeffective weight to be lifted when the chute is disassembled is lessthan the total weight of the ramp. Therefore, the position of thepivotal connection between the ramp and the supporting membersfacilitates both assembly and disassembly of the chute and functions topermit performance of these actions by a single operator.

The sidewalls which with the ramp form the loading chute of thisinventioninclude a plurality of uprights interconnected by a pluralityof lateral supports. Preferably two tubular sleeves are mounted at eachside of the ramp and two tab members depend from the lower surface ofeach side wall so that the walls may be readily mounted on the ramp byinserting the tabs into the sleeves.

In addition, the sleeves, in the preferred embodiment, are pivotallymounted on the ramp sides and the uprights and lateral supports arepivotally interconnected so that the walls are movable relative to theramp from a position wherein the uprights are perpendicular to the rampto a position wherein the uprights are perpendicular to the horizontalplane containing the truck bed.

When the sidewalls are not in use they may be attached by S-shapedhangers, wing bolts, or any other well known means to the side of thetruck.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a loadingchute for a truck which may be retracted and carried beneath the truckbed, and which can be quickly and easily assembled into a loadingposition.

It is another object to provide a horizontally slidable truck loadingramp mounted in a track affixed beneath the truck bed which may bewithdrawn from beneath the bed and permitted to pivot into a loadingposition by a single operator.

It is still another object to provide a portable loading chute for atruck including a ramp having supportv members pivotally connectedthereto at a point between the forward end and the center of gravity ofsaid ramp, said supports being slidably retained in a track mountedbeneath the truck bed so that when the ramp is withdrawn from beneaththe truck and disposed with one end abutting the end of the truck bedand the other end resting on the ground, vertical support for the rampis provided by the supporting members and the track.

It is yet another object to provide a portable loading chute havingdetachable sidewalls, a ramp adapted to abut the end of the bed and reston the ground, and vertical supporting members connecting the ramp and atrack mounted beneath the truck bed whereby when said ramp is not in useit may be retracted with the supporting members beneath the truck bedalong the track and retained in a storage area therein.

7 These and other objects will become readily apparent with reference tothe drawings and following description wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the chute of this invention mounted on atruck and assembled in the loading position with one sidewall removed;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevationof the ramp of this invention retracted into the storage position with aportion of the track removed;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevationof the ramp of this invention assembled into the loading position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the ramp of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in partial section taken along line 66 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view in partial section taken along line 7-7 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view in partial section, similar to FIG. 7,showing an alternate means for mounting the sidewall for the chute ofthis invention on a truck.

With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a truck 10 having abed 12 and walls 14 attached thereto. FIG. 1 also illustrates theloading chute 16 of this invention partially assembled in the loadingposition. Chute 16 includes a ramp l8 and right and left sidewalls 20.Each sidewall 20 includes a plurality of upright supports 22 and aplurality of lateral crossmembers 24. Members 22 and 24 are pivotallyinterconnected by any conventional means 26 such as bolts or rivets.

The lower surface of each sidewall 20 mounts, preferably, two dependingtab members 28 which may be merely extensions of the two uprights 22.Two rectangular sleeves 30 are pivotally mounted on each side of ramp18. To assemble sidewalls 20 on ramp 18 tab members 28 are merelyinserted in sleeves 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, sleeves 30 are normally disposed perpendicular tothe horizontal plane containing ramp 18. However, when sidewalls 20 aremounted on ramp 18 as shown in FIG. 1, it will be desirable to pivotuprights 22 and sleeves 30 relative to ramp 18 until the uprights 22 aredisposed perpendicular to the horizontal plane containing the truck bed12. For this reason in the preferred embodiment of this inventionrectangular sleeves 30 are pivotally mounted on ramp 18 and uprightsupports 22 and lateral members 24 are pivotally interconnected.

FIG. 6 illustrates a sidewall upright 22 mounted on ramp 18 with a tabmember 28 inserted in sleeve 30. Sleeve 30 may be pivotally connected toramp 18 by any conventional means 32 such as the bolt shown. The lowersurface of sidewall 20 may have a shoulder 34 thereon to stop downwarddisplacement of tab member 28 in sleeve 30 and to retain tab 28 in thesleeve 30.

When ramp 18 is in the loading position of FIG. 1 the forward end 36abuts the rear end 38 of the truck bed 12. The rear end 40 of ramp 18 isadapted. to rest on the ground. Ramp 18 is retained in the loadingposition by twin support members 42 pivotally mounted by anyconventional means 44, such as a bolt, at each side of ramp 18. Supportmembers 42 are in turn retained in track 46. Track 46 is mounted on thelower surface of bed 12 by any conventional means (not shown).

With attention to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, ramp 18 may have treads 48 on theupper surface thereof. The lower surface of ramp 18 is supported by acentral longitudinal brace 50 and right and left longitudinal braces 52affixed thereto by any conventional means (not shown).

Supporting members 54 extend along the outer surfaces of right and leftbraces 52 and support the extreme edge portion of ramp 18. As shown inFIG. 6 the mounting means 32 connects sleeves 30 to members 54 andextends through members 52 and 54. As shown in FIG. 4, the connectingmeans 44 connecting the ramp 18 and support members 42 extends throughsupport member 42 and the longitudinal braces 52 and 54.

In the preferred embodiment the track 46 comprises two inwardly openingchannels 46' which are rigidly attached to the lower surface of thetruck bed and extend from the rear end 38 of the truck bed 12 toward thefront thereof. Preferably track 46, as shown in FIGS. 2' and 3,terminates substantially at the vertical plane containing the end 38 ofbed 12.

Twin support members 42, in the preferred embodiment are outwardlyopening channel members 60 containing a spacer member 62 which extendsthe length thereof. Channel members 60 are dimensioned to be slidablyretained within the internal confines of the rail members 46 of track46. The ramp l8 and pivotal connection 44 act to retain supportingmembers 42 in rail members 46'. If desired, a spacer member 64 may bemounted between the ends of said supporting members 42 opposite thepivotal connection 44. Spacer member 64 may be attached by anyconventional means to members 42. Ramp l8 and spacer members 64 thencoact to retain supporting members 42 in rail members 46 permitting onlylongitudinal movement of members 42 in rails 46.

When the ramp 18 is disposed in the storage area defined by rail members46' the forward end of the ramp will be retained in the storage area byconnecting means 44 connecting ramp l8 and support members 42. The rearend 40 of ramp 18 may be retained between rail members 46 by anyconventional detachable means such as a rod adapted to pass through ahole in track 46, as shown in FIG. 1, and hole 72 shown in FIG. 2adjacent the rear end 40 of ramp 18. The rod passing through hole 70 and72 in rail members 46 and supporting members 52 and 54 may be retainedtherein by any conventional means (not shown) such as by a cotter pin orby threaded attachment to a stop member.

When the ramp is retained in the storage area as shown in FIG. 2, thesidewall members 20 may be attached to the sides of the truck 14 by anyconventional means such as by the S-shaped hangers 76 shown in FIG. 7,or by wing nuts 78 as shown in FIG. 8.

To assemble the chute of this invention into the loading position shownin FIGS. 1 and 3 the rod (not shown) is removed from holes 70 and 72 andthe rear end 40 of ramp members 18 is grasped and pulled. Ramp 18 isthen withdrawn from track 46. When the ramp 18 is fullywithdrawnsupporting members 42 will extend a predetermined distance fromthe ramp 18 into the rail members 46. Because the pivotal connection 44is disposed between the forward end of ramp member 36 and the center ofgravity thereof, the weight of 44 until the forward end 36 abuts therear end 38 of the truck bed 12, and the rear end 40 of ramp 18 rests onthe ground. Sidewalls 20 are then detached from the truck sides 14 andtab members 28 inserted in sleeves 30. Uprights 22 are then pivotedrelative to the ramp 18, about the connecting means 26, connecting thelateral supports 24 and the uprights 22, and sleeve 30 is therebypivoted about connecting means 32 until uprights 22 are disposedperpendicular to the horizontal plane containing the truck bed 12, asshown in FIG. 1.

To disassemble the loading chute of this invention uprights 22 arepivoted into a position perpendicular to ramp 18 and sidewalls 20 arelifted, withdrawing tabs 28 thereon from rectangular sleeves 30.Sidewalls 20 are then attached to the side 14 of the truck as shown inH0. 1.

By pivoting uprights 22 rectangular sleeves 30 are also pivoted aboutbolts 32 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown inFIGS. 2 and 5 wherein the vertical axis of sleeve 30 is perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of the ramp 18. The rear end 40 of ramp 18 is thenraised until the ramp 18 has pivoted about connecting means 44 from theinclined position of FIG. 1 to a position wherein the longitudinal axisof ramp l8 coincides with the longitudinal axes of track 46. Ramp 18 isthen pushed into track 46 causing supporting members 42 to slidetherealong until the end 40 of ramp 18 lies within track 46 as shown inFIG. 2. The rear end 40 is retained in the storage area defined betweenthe rail members 46' of track 46 by any conventional means such as bypassing a rod (not shown) through hole 70 in rail members 46 and hole 72in brace members 52 and 54.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a wide varietyof different types of brace members and support members may be utilizedwithin the scope of this invention. In addition, the means describedabove for attaching the sidewall members to the ramp and for attachingthe sidewall members to the truck sides are preferred embodiments only,and any conventional type of detachable mounting means is contemplatedwithin the scope of this invention. It will be also obvious to thoseskilled in the art that the ramp of this invention may be utilized aloneto load a truck without mounting sidewalls thereon. in addition, thetruck may be parked adjacent a tree or building, and in this instance asingle sidewall may be sufficient to assemble the chute of thisinvention for loading livestock.

Although the dimensions of the component parts of the loading chute ofthis invention may be varied without departing from the intended scopethereof, it must be emphasized that the supporting members 42 must belong enough so that a substantial portion thereof willbe retained in thetrack 46 when ramp 18 is assembled in the loading position. In apreferred embodiment of this invention wherein the pivotal connection isspaced on ramp 18 approximately 16 k inches from the forward end 36,supporting members 36 inches in length will provide sufficient supportin track 46 for the chute of this invention.

ramp 18 will cause the ramp to pivot about connection H The inventionmay be embodied in other specific forms without departing from thespirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment istherefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appendedclaims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes whichcome within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims aretherefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

l. A retractable loading chute for a truck comprising:

a track including a pair of elongated rail members,

said members defining a storage space therebetween, said track adaptedto be carried under the bed of said truck and disposed longitudinallythereto, extending from the rear toward the front of the bed;

a pair of mutually spaced support members slidably mounted in saidtrack;

' means cooperating between said support members and said track forretaining said members in said track;

a ramp disposed between said support members and carried thereby, saidramp being movable relative to said track between a retracted positionwherein said ramp is disposed in the storage space between said railmembers and a loading position wherein said ramp is fully withdrawn fromthe storage space, said ramp having front and rear ends, the planescontaining said ends being disposed at angles to the longitudinal axisof said ramp;

pivotal connecting means connecting a portion of said ramplongitudinally spaced from the front end toward the center thereof andsaid support members, for permitting pivotal movement of said ramprelative to said support members into the loading position when saidramp is withdrawn from the storage space, so that when said ramp iswithdrawn from the storage space and the front portion of said membersare retained therein said ramp will pivot about said supporting membersinto the loading position wherein the rear end of said ramp rests on theground and the front end thereof abuts the rear end of the truck bed.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising releasable means cooperatingbetween said ramp and said track for retaining said ramp in the storagespace when said ramp is in the retracted position.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said track includes a pair of inwardlyopening channels mutually spaced in parallel relationship.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said supporting members are slidablyreceived in said channels.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said supporting members includeoutwardly opening channels, each of said supporting channels beingreceived in a rail channel for sliding movement relative thereto.

6. The device of claim 5 further comprising spacer means connecting saidsupporting channels for retaining said supporting members in said railchannels.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising sidewalls adapted to bemounted on said ramp when said ramp is in the loading position; mountingmeans carried by said ramp for mounting each of said sidewalls at a sideof said ramp.

and said ramp is in the loading position from a first position whereinsaid uprights are disposed perpendicular to said ramp to a secondposition wherein said uprights are disposed perpendicular to theplane'containing the and said upright supports for permitting movementof truck bed.

said uprights when said walls are mounted on said ramp

1. A retractable loading chute for a truck comprising: a track includinga pair of elongated rail members, said members defining a storage spacetherebetween, said track adapted to be carried under the bed of saidtruck and disposed longitudinally thereto, extending from the reartoward the front of the bed; a pair of mutually spaced support membersslidably mounted in said track; means cooperating between said supportmembers and said track for retaining said members in said track; a rampdisposed between said support members and carried thereby, said rampbeing movable relative to said track between a retracted positionwherein said ramp is disposed in the storage space between said railmembers and a loading position wherein said ramp is fully withdrawn fromthe storage space, said ramp having front and rear ends, the planescontaining said ends being disposed at angles to the longitudinal axisof said ramp; pivotal connecting means connecting a portion of said ramplongitudinally spaced from the front end toward the center thereof andsaid support members, for permitting pivotal movement of said ramprelative to said support members into the loading position when saidramp is withdrawn from the storage space, so that when said ramp iswithdrawn fRom the storage space and the front portion of said membersare retained therein said ramp will pivot about said supporting membersinto the loading position wherein the rear end of said ramp rests on theground and the front end thereof abuts the rear end of the truck bed. 2.The device of claim 1 further comprising releasable means cooperatingbetween said ramp and said track for retaining said ramp in the storagespace when said ramp is in the retracted position.
 3. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said track includes a pair of inwardly opening channelsmutually spaced in parallel relationship.
 4. The device of claim 3wherein said supporting members are slidably received in said channels.5. The device of claim 4 wherein said supporting members includeoutwardly opening channels, each of said supporting channels beingreceived in a rail channel for sliding movement relative thereto.
 6. Thedevice of claim 5 further comprising spacer means connecting saidsupporting channels for retaining said supporting members in said railchannels.
 7. The device of claim 1 further comprising sidewalls adaptedto be mounted on said ramp when said ramp is in the loading position;mounting means carried by said ramp for mounting each of said sidewallsat a side of said ramp.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein each of saidsidewalls comprise a plurality of mutually spaced upright supports and aplurality of mutually spaced lateral supports; means pivotallyconnecting said lateral supports and said upright supports forpermitting movement of said uprights when said walls are mounted on saidramp and said ramp is in the loading position from a first positionwherein said uprights are disposed perpendicular to said ramp to asecond position wherein said uprights are disposed perpendicular to theplane containing the truck bed.